Summer Take Aways…

1. Get some photos I want to share on the web easily.
2. Get me in the groove of blogging more regularly.

Its hard to take time to write anything this time of year. Every moment not spent in the garden or on the trail feels like a waste.

But there are still some things I think I’ve learned, some take-aways that I feel are worth sharing.

My Poustinina is progressing. Its not a Frank Lloyd Wright original…but it’s mine. I’ve learned to slow down and do this my own way. There are no drawings. The entire thing was designed as I went. I violated every rule of building my father and my grandfather and my shop teacher gave me – and it’s been awesome. There were moments that I caught myself rushing, but successfully slowed and re-connected with the process. It felt good. The building of the poustinia is just as much prayer as the moments which will transpire within the finished building.

I got in a brief solo hike in late June up to Independence and North Lakes.

It was good to be still and mostly alone for a couple of days. The weather was good and I had a chance to dig into Thomas Merton again. He speaks of the difference between “Pure” intention (doing the Godly thing because it is right) and “Simple” intention (doing the Godly thing because it has become his nature). Mind blow.

For 6 days, I got to wander the central Cascades with 4 friends. We encountered paradisaical meadows

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Glaciers

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Ferocious wildlife

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Smoke from nearby forest fires

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Various spectacular views

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We had a lot of laughs, prayed at least some of the offices each day and had some enlightening discussions about what simple living and intentional community could look like in our context.

I was also blessed to have three days on a wilderness beach hike with my oldest daughter, Kellie. We talked about everything under the sun, and fell asleep to a chorus of sea lions barking. Great weather, and even better company.